MGS5 EV: The new benchmark?

0 0 September 15, 2025 Edit this post

by Alistair Kennedy

What is it?

New vehicles from Chinese manufacturer MG are coming thick and fast.

On the new and upcoming schedule are the QS seven-seat SUV, ES5 small electric SUV, MG7 large sedan, HS plug-in hybrid and the first offerings from its IM luxury sub-brand.

The QS has just arrived and we’ll be reviewing it shortly, but this time we’re looking at another small-medium fully-electric SUV -- the MGS5.

While the name is new the S5 is effectively a replacement for the electric variant in the market dominating ZS range, but unlike the ZS EV which was based on its petrol sibling, S5 it has been designed from the ground up specifically as an electric vehicle.

The ZS and ZST petrol and hybrids will remain on sale under that badge.

S5 does share its underpinning and other components with the well-established MG4 sedan and Cybester sports coupe.

What’s it cost?

S5 comes in four variants and two equipment levels, Excite and Essence, with the choice of two batteries, 49kWh and 62kWh.

Driveaway prices range from $40,490 for the 49kWh Excite through to $47,990 for our test model the 62kWh Essence.

The exterior of MGS5 is a major improvement over the outgoing, fairly bland ZS EV.

It’s shape now clearly identifies it as an SUV although, having said that, there’s nothing that really makes it stand out from its numerous competitors.

There are a couple of features borrowed from siblings including the split front air vent from the Cybester and tail lights from the MG4.

There’s LED lighting all round including the high-mounted brake light.

Wheels are alloys, 17-inch on the Excite and 18-inch on the Essence.

Other extra features in the higher spec variant include power folding side mirrors, rear privacy glass and rear sensor wipers.

Both S5 variants combine a 12.8-inch infotainment screen with a 10.25-inch configurable driver information display.

While most features are accessed through the touchscreen MG has responded to concerns about driver distraction by adding a number of shortcut tabs at the bottom of the screen, as well as some physical buttons, knobs and toggles below the screen.

Both models get embedded satellite navigation.

MGS5 comes with iSMART, an app available through both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It enables drivers to remotely monitor and control certain functions including remote vehicle status checks, remote control of features like air conditioning and locking, and location tracking.

Excite has a four-speaker sound system, Essence adds two more.

Other extra features in the Essence are a wireless smartphone charger, voice control and online entertainment services.

MGS5 underwent ANCAP safety testing in May, 2025 and achieved the maximum five-star rating.

A five-star ANCAP safety rating, plus seven airbags is just a start, with MG Pilot intelligent safety systems which automatically intervene when occupant safety is threatened.

These include forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

More help is supplied by blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and braking, rear collision warning, driver monitor inattention warning, tyre pressure warning, auto hold and hill start assist, reversing camera and ISOFix rear seat brackets.

As required by ANCAP the default setting for all ADAS driver assistance systems is turned on.

Some intrusive features such as driver-attention monitoring, overly sensitive speed limit alerts and lane correction safety can be turned off through the touchscreen -- but automatically turn back on when the vehicle is restarted.

Fortunately, the S5 does have a custom tab that allows any selected features to be turned off together when restarting.

MG has recently increased its warranty to 10 years/250,000km.

Note however that only applies when all scheduled services are done by an authorised MG dealer.

For personal buyers they can opt for 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty option if they choose an alternative, provided that they follow the usual warranty conditions.

What’s it go like?

Entry into both the front and rear is relatively easy with a flat floor adding extra comfort for those in the back.

Legroom and headroom is also pretty good.

There are grab handles at all doors except for the driver’s. Not quite sure why.

Excite has fabric upholstery and manual front-seat adjustment. Essence gets PVC with cloth inserts, six-way power adjustment and lumbar support for the driver.

Boot space is 453 litres with the rear seat backs in place, expanding to 1241 litres when they’re folded.

As is rapidly becoming the norm, there’s no spare wheel just a tyre repair kit.

The only extra safety feature in the SR Essence is a 360-degree camera.

Both S5 variants are powered by lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries that generate 125kW and 250Nm through a single rear-mounted motor.

Driving range using the WLTP system is listed at 340km from the 49 kWh battery and 430km with the 62 kWh.

Being LFP the batteries can be charged to 100 percent. Maximum AC charging speed is 6.6kW and DC, 150kW.

Servicing intervals are 12 months or 25,000km whichever comes first while the five-year servicing price is around $400 a year.

One pedal driving is standard as is three-step brake regeneration.

Like all EVs the S5 provides instant torque at getaway, however its relatively low power output of 125kW and extra weight restrict it to a modest 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds in the 62 kWh Essence that we tested.

Of course, it is an SUV with all the practical benefits of that design, so that’s not going to be a priority for most potential buyers.

Performance from the S5 is a significant improvement over the ZS EV.

It’s built on the same dedicated EV platform as the MG4 and, while it can’t match the overall driving enjoyment of that hatchback, it doesn’t fall that much short.

The ride is firm but not harsh and it handled the occasional bumps and potholes without a problem.

Steering is nicely weighted and direct.

With its rear-wheel drive it’s so well-balanced going through corners that is easy to forget that it’s an SUV.

What we like?

Better looking than predecessor
Shortcut tabs for touchscreen
Both models get embedded navigation
Maximum five-star safety rating

What we don’t like?

Nothing really makes it stand out
No spare wheel just a tyre repair kit
Intrusive driver warnings

The bottom line?

The ZS has been a breakthrough model for MG, easily outselling all its rivals in the small SUV segment.

Although it’s a fair bit more expensive than the ZS EV, such have been the across-the board improvements that S5 looks likely to continue that domination.

It’s an ideal size for singles or couples with pre-teen children or retirees, has outstanding levels of safety with the latest in technology.

Add its excellent driving qualities and its certainly ticks plenty of boxes.

The S5 will compete against other fully-electric vehicles such as the Chinese Geely EX5, BYD Atto3 and Chery Omoda E5 -- as well as the Korean Kia EV3.